On Latin America, McCain lacks Policy; Obama Offers Some Reform, Some Status Quo

PART 1:

Both Senator Barack Obama and Senator John McCain outlined their policy for Latin America.  Senator McCain focused mostly on Cuba. Before an older Conservative Cuban Americans, McCain criticized Senator Obama for opening up dialogue with Raul Castro.

CUT: HE ALSO WANTS TO SIT DOWN TO AN UNCONDITIONAL MEETING WITH RAUL CASTRO. THIS MESSAGE WOULD SEND THE WORST POSSIBLE MESSAGE TO CUBA'S LEADERS. I BELIEVE WE SHOULD GIVE HOPE TO THE CUBAN PEOPLE, NOT THE CASTRO REGIME.  MY POLICY WOULD TELL CASTRO TO RELEASE ALL POLITICAL PRISONERS UNCONDITIONALLY.

• Post Doha Update from Beirut
• Guest Workers on Hunger Strike
• Protests on Georgian Independence Day
• Confederation of Indigenous Groups In Ecuador Rallies Social Organizations
• Torture in Indonesia Goes Unpunished

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• Burmese Junta Extends Suu Kyi's House Arrest
• Swearing-in of Constituent Assembly in Nepal
• Caste Protests in Rajasthan
• Supreme Court Roundup
• Libertarian Party Nominates its Presidential Candidate
• Top Colombian Rebel Commander Confirmed Dead

In Lebanon last night, a speech by Hizbullah leader Sayed Hassan Nasrallah sparked clashes between opposition supporters and those who back the pro-Western government – 16 people were injured. Just last week, a new peace deal was reached between the two groups. FSRN Anchor Nell Abram spoke with correspondent Jackson Allers – who has been covering the conflict from Beirut. Allers explains how Hizbullah fits in to the prevailing political landscape and how the agreement reached in Doha furthers their political position.

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On Monday Georgia celebrated Independence Day amid a political crisis caused by disputed parliamentary elections. While President Mikhail Sahakashvili was busy with the celebrations, his opponents from the United Georgian Opposition organized a massive protest. FSRN's Garegein Khumaryan reports on the elections, protests and more.

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The Confederation of Indigenous Nationalities of Ecuador -- or the CONAIE -- has suspended talks with the government of Rafael Correa saying communities should have the right to say yes or no to development projects. CONAIE’s position is supported by anti-mining groups who want the government to revoke mineral concessions that were awarded without their input. The indigenous group is now turning its attention to building support within the National Constituent Assembly for a more inclusive constitution. It has also rallied social organizations across the country who met in Quito yesterday. Jen Moore has more from Ecuador.

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Ten years ago this month, President Suharto's 32-year dictatorship of Indonesia came to an end when he was forced to resign amid widespread riots. Indonesia then entered a new era of liberal social and political change – known as 'Reformasi'. However, ten years later, human rights activists claim that sanctioned violence continues. In a recent report, the United Nations said torture is widespread in Indonesia and goes unpunished.
Rebecca Henschke investigates the possibility that a culture of impunity is embedded in Indonesia.

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Indian guest workers who claim they were tricked into slavery have entered day 14 of a hunger strike. The workers were recruited by Signal International to come to the United States to work on the reconstruction of the Gulf Coast region. But they say they ended up in servitude. FSRN's Tanya Snyder has more from the workers' ongoing protest in Washington.

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